All Stories About Relationships

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from football. Muamba, 24, collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest on 17 March during Bolton’s FA Cup quarter-final tie with Tottenham Hotspur. Muamba, speaking about his announcement, said “While the news is devastating, I have much to be thankful for. I thank God that I am alive and I pay tribute once again to the members of the medical team who never gave up on me.” Muamba had travelled to Belgium earlier this week to have a minor routine heart surgery and Muamba says he received advice during his time there, prompting his retirement.

Fabrice Muamba receiving treatment by medical staff after he collapsed

Read his statement below.

Since suffering my heart attack and being discharged from hospital, I have remained utterly positive in the belief I could one day resume my playing career and play for Bolton Wanderers once again. As part of my ongoing recovery, last week I travelled to Belgium to seek further medical advice from a leading cardiologist. But the news I received was obviously not what I had hoped it would be and it means I am now announcing my retirement from professional football.”

The news comes just six months after he suffered his cardiac arrest, with doctors saying he was ‘dead’ for 78 minutes.